Extension-lad d er



(No Model.

J. S. BURGESS.

EXTENSION LADDER. No.- 487,469. Patented Dec. 6, 1892.

IV] 1 )VE SSES A T "ORNE Y3 UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES S. BURGESS, OF MARATHON, NEW YORK.

EXTENSION-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 487,469, dated December 6, 1892.

Application filed April 7, 1892. Serial No. 428,181. (No model.)

To all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES S. BURGESS, of Marathon, in the county of Cortland, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Extension-Ladders, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full,

clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to extension-ladders; and my object is to produce animproved ladder provided with an improved system of braces by means of which the ladder is wholly or partially supported when erected, in which when the foot of one brace is moved laterally the foot of the other is simultaneously andin like degree moved laterally, and which braces are so erected with the ladder as to give it full direct support and also support and steady it against tipping or swaying laterally.

My invention consists in the several novel features of construction and operation hereinafter described, and which are specifically set forth in the claim hereunto annexed. It is constructed as follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan elevation of the ladder erected. Fig. 2 is a detail of the brace adjustment. Fig. 3 is a detail of the lateral connection between the upper ends of the braces. Fig. t is a detail of the hinge connection of the braces to the main ladder. Fig. 5 is a sectional detail showing one of the dogs for supporting the upper section of the ladder. Fig. 6 is a detail of the basket-support mounted upon the ladder.

A is the main ladder or lower section, provided with a longitudinal slotway a in each of the side rails.

B is the upper or sliding section, from the side rails, of which project the pins b, which traverse in said slotways. A dog 0 of substantially the form shown is pivoted upon the inside of each'of the side rails of the lower section, the two dogs being connected by a cross-bar c, and c" is a spring bearing against said pawl. A board (:1 is secured across the top of the lower section, and to it another board cl is hinged.

DD are the braces pivotally connected to the board (1' by the bolts (1". Each brace is provided with a segment-gear e, which mesh together, so that when one brace is swung laterally the gearing operates to simultaneously throw the other brace laterally to the same extent. Each brace is provided with an extensible and adjustable foot -71, connected to the brace by the loop h and the slot h" and bolt 77/ in the usual manner, the setscrew being operated to secure the foot at any desired point. A basket-s11 pportk is mounted in the eyes is upon the upper end of the upper section. Auxiliary braces m are connected to the main braces and to the side rails of the lower section and are adapted to fold up in the usual manner.

It will be seen that the main braces may be spread wide apart at their lower ends, so that the ladder will be largely self-supporting, so that it can be set up alongside of a tree without requiring any support from its branches for the purpose of fruit-picking, and also so that the whole can be folded into small comass. p What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

An extension-ladder consisting of an upper and lower section, a dog pivoted upon the lower section and engaging with the upper section, a board hinged to the lower section, braces pivotally connected to said board, and gear-segments upon said braces meshing together in combination, as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 25th,.day of March, 1892.

JAS. S. BURGESS.

In presence of O. B. KINNE, HOWARD P. DENISON. 

